Shinji Matou at Your Service

"Shinji?"

The voice, male and slightly weak, carried a sense of fatigue, as if from someone who had been overworked and was running on fumes. Even without seeing the person, just hearing the voice could conjure the image of a worn-out middle-aged office worker.

Even though his mind was foggy and his thoughts were jumbled, Shinji instantly recognized the voice.

"Waver?"

He looked toward the source of the voice and saw a slender man dressed in a suit, topped with a red coat. The man had long hair, wore black-rimmed glasses, and appeared gaunt.

Yes, it was indeed that overworked man.

"What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be on the Mystic Eye Collection Train?"

"I should be asking you why you're here. This is the Mystic Eye Collection Train."

Shinji almost thought he had misheard.

"Huh? This is the Mystic Eye Collection Train?"

Looking more closely, the large metal structure in front of him was indeed boxy, with windows, wheels, and tracks beneath it. Waver was standing by what appeared to be the train's door, though it seemed to have been twisted and damaged.

"Oh, it is a train. How did I end up here? Did I get knocked out by the explosion and not wake up?"

"I think you're awake, but you look awful. Do you need me to administer first aid?"

"My condition… cough, cough."

It wasn't until this moment that Shinji truly focused on himself.

It was worse than he expected—far worse.

He was severely burned, his flesh bloodied and charred. His face was covered in soot, which for a magus wasn't too serious; a week in the Clock Tower and he'd be healed.

But the real damage was internal: over thirty fractures, most of them in his limbs, making it hard for him to even stand. If his bones were in this shape, his internal organs must have been in even worse condition. His brain and other organs were also severely damaged, and filled with hemorrhages. If he were an ordinary person, he would likely be dead by now. But Shinji managed to stay alive thanks to his robust constitution and the Runes that had enhanced him through the Command Seals.

"It's really bad. I could use some help."

Waver, who doubled as a teacher, detective, and forensic expert, examined Shinji's body closely and gasped.

"Gray, bring my case over. Yvette, Luvia, if you have any healing potions, I'll need them."

Soon, three girls emerged from the train.

Gray, carrying the case, was someone Shinji knew well—still wearing her cloak that obscured her face.

Yvette, holding two bottles of alchemical potions, was also familiar to Shinji. Her full name was Yvette L. Lehrman, a self-proclaimed spy sent by the Neutral Faction and a new member of the El-Melloi Classroom.

She gave off the impression of being a mix between a Lolita and a chūnibyō, with a frilly outfit more extravagant than an idol's and pink-dyed hair covering one eye with a star-shaped eyepatch. Yvette's comments were even more shocking—many admired Weber at the Clock Tower, but Yvette was the only one who openly declared herself a mistress candidate.

Lastly, there was Luvia, holding an emerald stone. Shinji was most familiar with her. He had seen her as a noble young lady and even in her cute pajamas. Now that he thought about it… Wait, why was she here?

Waver, Gray, and Yvette were all involved with the Mystic Eye Collection Train incident, so their presence made sense. But what was Luvia doing here? She didn't belong in this scene. Had Waver replaced his assistant? Could this mean the mastermind behind the incident was also…

Shinji's eyebrows twitched slightly as he subtly tugged on Waver's sleeve and whispered in a low voice.

"Why is she here? Didn't you bring Caules?"

"I did. He's in the carriage. But he hasn't mastered the application of Electromagnetic Magecraft, so I didn't have him assist."

"Then why is Luvia here?"

"She came with Yvette. They have a financial arrangement."

The items on the Mystic Eye Collection Train were all exorbitantly priced, and even though Yvette came from the prominent Lehrman family, she might not have been able to afford everything. Seeking financial support from outside was understandable, and Luvia's Edelfelt family was one of the wealthiest in the magical world.

However, considering the undercurrents in this incident and Yvette's role in it, this explanation didn't satisfy Shinji.

"She and Yvette…"

Waver cut off Shinji's questioning impatiently.

"Enough. Stop worrying about that and take care of yourself first. In your current state, you can't protect me. We need to protect you. How did you end up like this? Weren't you supposed to be dealing with Einnashe?"

"Don't ask. I blew up half of the Crimson Core, and then something unexpected happened. I wonder how Arcueid is now…"

Just then, a voice rang out from above, "Yoohoo~!"

Speak of Arcueid, and she shall appear.

"Shinji, I found you~!"

With her signature greeting, the princess in a white dress descended from the sky.

Cuter than Yvette, more elegant than Luvia, and purer than Gray, she captivated everyone's attention the moment she arrived. Whether inside or outside the train, young or old, male or female, her stunning appearance was no less striking than the debut of the Golden Princess and the Silver Princess at a grand ball.

She seemed like the center of the world, the Creator's perfect masterpiece—if one overlooked her current behavior.

As soon as she landed, barely steady on her feet, Arcueid lunged at Shinji, making him flinch in fright.

"Stop! Are you trying to kill me?"

"Shinji, you idiot."

Arcueid pouted in displeasure.

"I came all the way to find you, and that's the first thing you say to me?"

"You're the idiot. Look at me! If you hug me like that with your strength, it would be murder!"

Her hugs, which were meant to be a show of affection, were more like a full-on tackle by a professional football player. In his current state, it could easily turn him into a pancake.

"Sorry…"

Realizing what he meant, Arcueid stuck out her tongue apologetically and muttered, "Humans are fragile."

"Hey, saying that in front of all these humans isn't very considerate—owww!"

Shinji rolled his eyes, inadvertently aggravating his wounds and wincing in pain.

"What's wrong with that? Oh! I know!"

Halfway through her sentence, Arcueid suddenly clapped her hands together.

"I have a way to heal you right away."

"What way?"

Shinji asked casually.

"This way!"

The next moment, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her crimson lips against his.

The princess's lips and the knight's met in a kiss.